The Song of Sparrows

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The Song of Sparrows

PG

2009

1h 36m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

41 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

After losing a valuable ostrich, Karim is fired from his job tending fowl on a small farm. Desperate to repair his daughter's broken hearing aid, Karim sets out on his motorcycle to find work in the bustling city of Tehran, Iran. Karim accidentally falls into a lucrative new line of work when a distracted businessman mistakes him for a taxi and jumps on the back of his motorcycle. But as the allure of the city takes its hold on Karim, he begins to lose sight of what matters most.

Critics Consensus

A heartfelt, affecting parable, The Song of Sparrows is another gem from Iranian director Majid Majidi.

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Jonathan Curiel

San Francisco Chronicle

Jun 12, 2009

4/4

At times funny, sad, poignant and suspenseful, Sparrows is a showcase for Majidi's masterful storytelling -- and Naji's superb acting.

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Dan Zak

Washington Post

Jun 12, 2009

At times tedious but ultimately beguiling, Song of Sparrows morphs from a sly dramedy about running a household into a fable about two ways of life (urban and rural) that can't coexist.

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Wesley Morris

Boston Globe

May 28, 2009

2.5/4

The images in The Song of Sparrows have a poetic grace that's to be desired in storytelling.

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Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

Aug 4, 2020

7/10

'The Song of Sparrows' is a very moving film by the Iranian director Majid Majidi. It's realism strikes me with subtlety as it presents a portrait of poverty, child labor and parental sacrifice. [Full review in Spanish]

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Ellie Lucas

From the Front Row

Jul 7, 2019

3/4

At once dryly funny and deeply moving; an affecting portrait of an Iranian family as they deal with the struggles of every day life.

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MaryAnn Johanson

Flick Filosopher

Sep 1, 2009

[A]stonishes with me its simplicity, its uncomplicated wisdom, its visual salience...

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NIKHIL s

@RT35913315 Nov 17, 2025

One of the finest Iranian Cinema- Majid Majidi weaves a powerful narration of the world view from children's perspective and a struggling father. What it brings on the screen is that children are innately empathetic and cares for the life around. The father on the other hand misses out details of how his kids pursues to make this planet a lovely place to cherish. Highly recommended.

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Madam D

@Madam1948 Apr 9, 2025

Wish all films could have so much heart. Shows how materialism can ruin your life if you don't pay attention to what is really important.

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Feb 2, 2016

My second Majidi film and one of my few ambassadors of Iranian films. It's similiar too "Rang-e khoda" as they both involves kids with limitations. They also share many similiar themes and subplots. I got a feeling that many of his films are in the same style, and that's not a bad thing. Karim, the family leader and father is working at an ostrich ranch but he ends up without a job. At the same time his daughter ruins her hearing aid and needs a new one. This is too expencive for the family so it's not a great time to lose a job. Luckily he finds new ways to earn money but he may not be the best spender. A younger kid in the family is always in trouble as well even of his actions are ment well. A trip to a very different culture than mine and a sweet story with many great moments. Basicly about life, life values and the hope of something better. Still a film about a lot more. 7.5 out of 10 blue doors.

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Aug 3, 2015

Really makes you think about our "1st World Problems"....

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May 8, 2014

The simplicity is amazing, all Iranian movie I have watched rely on simple, humanistic and heartfelt story telling, and The Song of Sparrows is no exception. If you miss down-to-earth movie, this is your chance to take a break from those flashy blockbuster movie.

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Feb 23, 2014

A simple and moving tale of Karim , whose transformation forces you to explore one's own alienation and existence in an urban, fast-paced city life. The film moved me to a point where a torn polythene bag of fruit makes you go "noo". You end up rooting for him in a silent, prayer kind of a way by the time you sit though the 1.37hr movie which takes you on a roller coaster ride of culture-shock (bike-cabs!) and emotions of sorts. Well worth a watch !

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Majid Majidi

Director

Mohammad Amir Naji

Karim

Hamid Aghazi

Hossein

Maryam Akbari

Narges

Kamran Dehghan

Abbas

Schabnam Akhlaghi

Haneyeh

Critics Consensus: Fast & Furious Is Running On Empty

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Synopsis

After losing a valuable ostrich, Karim is fired from his job tending fowl on a small farm. Desperate to repair his daughter's broken hearing aid, Karim sets out on his motorcycle to find work in the bustling city of Tehran, Iran. Karim accidentally falls into a lucrative new line of work when a distracted businessman mistakes him for a taxi and jumps on the back of his motorcycle. But as the allure of the city takes its hold on Karim, he begins to lose sight of what matters most.

Director: Majid Majidi
Producer: Majid Majidi
Screenwriter: Mehran Kashani, Majid Majidi
Distributor: Regent Releasing
Rating: PG (Brief Strong Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Persian
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 3, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 16, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $115.9K
Runtime: 1h 36m

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